A string of burglaries throughout Lowndes County and three other counties has led to the arrest of four suspects.

According to Capt. Wanda Edwards of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Angel Renee Kelley, 25, Terry Edward Bowles Jr., 24, and two juveniles have been charged with multiple counts of felony burglary and one count of attempted burglary. The charges stem from the burglaries of churches, stores and residences throughout Lowndes, Brooks and Echols Counties, as well as Hamilton County, Fla.

Among those burglarized in Lowndes County were Pineview Baptist Church on Sept. 5, Clyattville First Baptist Church on Sept. 28, RJ’s Food Mart on Sept. 29, Payton Church on Sept. 30 and Little River Grocery on Oct. 1. Sandlin’s Groceries was also burglarized on Sept. 25 and Sept. 29. Edwards said an attempted burglary was reported at a Phillips 66 in Clyattville as well.

Echols County burglaries include Sardis Church on Sept. 28 and Katie’s Store on Sept. 30. Three burglaries were also reported in Brooks County on Sept. 30. They include a residential burglary, as well as one at Providence Methodist Church and S & W Saw Shop. Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church was burglarized in Hamilton County on Sept. 28. All of the burglaries took place after hours of operation.

According to Edwards, a suspect’s mother came forward to help authorities in the case.

“The mom started seeing some extra things around the house, and she knew there had been some burglaries in the area,” Edwards said. “Therefore, she went up to Sandlin’s and asked about items that had been stolen. After she was told what was missing, she realized she had some of those items in her house.”

After a brief investigation, the suspects were arrested last Thursday night. Kelley and Bowles were placed in custody at Lowndes County Jail. The two juveniles are being held in Thomasville, Edwards said.

“We appreciate parents being aware of what their children are doing,” Edwards said in response to the parent’s help in apprehending the suspects. “Burglaries are picking up in the area, and we will continue to see more as the holidays draw near. While we do the best we can, we always need the help of our residents to keep the community safe.”